China Comes For Its Tech Giants

The Chinese government’s crackdown on the country’s largest technology companies has raised fears that the industry could be paralyzed or cast into disarray as the economy enters a delicate moment. But one contingent within the tech sector is privately cheering on a broad set of anti-monopoly edicts: startups and their investors.

Back-to-Work Blues?

Tech boomed during the pandemic. It may not last

A Carbon Trading Market Perks Up

Sixteen years ago, Europe introduced a market based on what was then a revolutionary notion: forcing companies to cut greenhouse gas emissions by issuing credits that allow them to pollute up to a certain level. If they spew out more, they have to buy allowances from other companies. If they pollute less, they can sell their extra permits and bank the cash.

How to Survive A Bubble

No one can be sure if markets are too high—but your emotions probably are

PELOTON WANTS TO BE MORE THAN A PANDEMIC FAD

In March, a couple of weeks after sweeping stay-at-home orders had brought much of the U.S. to a halt, William Lynch says he realized Peloton Interactive Inc. would fare really well in the year of the pandemic.

HELP IS ON THE WAY But the world still needs a shot in the arm!

The economic outlook is starting to brighten just about everywhere you look

Drugstores To the Rescue

Pharmacy chains aim to boost the vaccine rollout—and their bottom lines

China Tightens Its Grip on Fintech

In late 2020, as Jack Ma’s Ant Group Co. prepared for a $35 billion initial public offering, many outside China wondered if the country’s financial technology giants were becoming a global competitive threat to U.S. and European banks and payments companies. Ant’s Alipay app, used for everything from hailing cabs to investing, had already rewired financial services in the world’s second-largest economy. There was just one problem: Inside China, policymakers were growing uneasy about the sudden dominance of their homegrown superstars.

Charging DUES, Making DO

Phil and Erin Lockwood never imagined their family would be traveling more during the coronavirus pandemic. But since joining the vacation club Inspirato last September, the parents of three have swapped one annual trip to a Disney theme park for villa rentals in Cabo San Lucas and Costa Rica.

Why the U.S. Senate Is Broken

Adam Jentleson argues that toxic partisanship rose when the filibuster became a cudgel

America's Missing Workers

Near-record levels of absenteeism could be hampering the recovery

Test All of Minnesota? You Betcha

Minnesota is setting an example for other states and the federal government. If anyone is interested

The Cult of Positivity

WHY BLIND OPTIMISM IS DRIVING US NUTS

SPOTIFY'S PODCAST POWER PLAY

The company is staking its future on converting music listeners to podcast fans and has become the favorite to own the industry—for better or worse

The Electric Truck That Couldn't

In the past six months, Nikola has faced an SEC probe, lost partners, and seen its shares tank

WALL STREET SOUTH

Florida braces for a gold-plated makeover as finance rethinks its attachment to New York

Social Media Hits Mute After the Capitol Riot

Facebook and Twitter can block the president, but his supporters will move on

Yet Another Winning Year For Hindsight Capital

With the miserable year of 2020 over, it’s time to return to the offices of Hindsight Capital LLC.

Where to Go in 2021

THE GLOBAL ECONOMY NEEDS A TRAVEL REBOUND. YOU COULD USE ONE, TOO. AS SOON AS IT’S SAFE, MAKE YOUR PLANS COUNT WITH 24 IDEAS TO HELP HEAL THE WORLD ONE SMALL STEP AT A TIME

Speak Softly and Run a Big Cloud

Amazon’s decision to cut ties with Parler showed the often-overlooked power its cloud computing division has over the internet

Britain Still Can't Escape Europe

Brexit will not end the U.K.’s long, fraught relationship with the Continent

The Golden Age of Tech Cafeterias Is Over

The pandemic threatens to permanently upend a unique attribute of the Bay Area’s food service industry

Is It Time To Worry?

There are signs that the market is getting ahead of itself, but price gains have been even crazier in the past

PICK ONE:YOUR DOCTOR OR YOUR RIGHTS

As private equity investors take over doctors’ offices, they’re popularizing a controversial legal practice: forcing patients to agree to binding arbitration before they can receive care

The Battle Over Student Debt

Biden is under pressure to forgive student loans. Here’s what’s at stake

Latinos are 18% of the U.S. population … … but only 3% of corporate directors

Even big Latin-themed restaurant chains have no Hispanic board members. Activists want to change that

How a Philanthropic Darling Became Political Scandal

A Canadian development charity courted celebrities, enlisted legions of schoolchildren to raise funds, and built a new, commerce-fueled model of philanthropy. Then a Covid relief deal got people asking who was benefiting most

Business at Its Best

With a big hand from the government, pharmaceutical companies delivered the vaccine that the world desperately needed. Here’s how something in 2020 went right for a change

Feeding Frenzy

World Central Kitchen, founded by chef José Andrés, has helped millions of people through disasters. The pandemic brought a new challenge

China's New E-Commerce Middlemen

Chinese tech companies look to partner with local leaders who help coordinate neighborhood purchases